Tom Aspinall’s rise to the top of the UFC heavyweight division has been remarkable, but it wasn’t always a smooth ride. Recently uncovered footage from 2016 reveals a surprising chapter in Aspinall’s journey: he once considered stepping away from MMA to concentrate on boxing.
Last Saturday, Aspinall showcased his impressive skills once again at UFC 304, where he defended his interim heavyweight title and avenged his sole UFC loss against Curtis Blaydes. Following this impressive victory, Aspinall renewed his call for a bout against the reigning heavyweight champion, Jon Jones.
While Aspinall’s path to becoming a UFC champion appears to have been relatively straightforward, the reality was different in the early days. In 2016, a 22-year-old Aspinall, still establishing himself in the sport, was contemplating a major shift in his career. At that time, he was competing on the UK regional circuit with promotions like BAMMA and Full Contact Contender, learning and growing in the sport.
Tom Aspinall Reveal He’s Giving Up MMA For Boxing in 2016
Back then, Aspinall was training alongside Tyson Fury and his team, which led him to consider a full transition to boxing. “It’s not my first day here, I’ve been coming to do the sparring, but it’s the first day I’ve decided to focus solely on boxing. It’s time to learn the trade now,” Aspinall shared in an interview with Box Nation.
He continued, “I’ve been doing MMA for a long time, struggling financially, and not seeing many rewards because I was having a hard time securing fights. So, it’s time to switch over and do boxing… it’s time to learn just the art of boxing now.”
Aspinall did make his boxing debut a year later, winning with a first-round TKO. Fortunately, he didn’t abandon MMA altogether. Instead, he got an opportunity to fight in Cage Warriors, which eventually paved the way for his entry into the UFC.
Today, Aspinall stands as one of the brightest stars in the UFC heavyweight division. Many within the sport believe he has the potential to become one of the greatest fighters of all time. To further solidify his legacy, Aspinall is eager to face Jon Jones, a fighter widely regarded as the greatest of all time.
How Difference Life Could Be?
Following his victory over Blaydes, the demand for a fight between Aspinall and Jones has surged among UFC fans, who are eager to see the title unified. However, Jones has been less enthusiastic about the matchup. After Aspinall’s impressive performance, Jones tweeted a cryptic message: “Supply and demand at its finest, I love it.”
The exact meaning of Jones’ message remains unclear. As of now, Jones is expected to defend his title against Stipe Miocic in November, with his future plans still uncertain beyond that.
